Clamping means for feeder rotor segments



Dec. 28, 1954 J, DAHMS 2,698,166

CLAMPING MEANS FOR FEEDER ROTOR SEGMENTS Filed Aug. 14, 1955 u:iimullsINVENTOR /4 ARTHUR J. DAHMS /& |!i MEL/3 ATTORNEYS United States PatentCLAlVIPING MEANS FOR FEEDER ROTOR SEGMENTS Arthur J. Dahms, Glastonbury,Conn., assignor to Emhart Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn., acorporation of Delaware Application August 14, 1953, Serial No. 374,303Claims. (Cl. 259-134) This invention relates to improvements in clampingmeans for releasably holding in place the arcuate segmental sections ofthe refractory rotor of a glass feeder of the type known as the Hartford81 feeder, an ex-. ample of which is disclosed in U. S. patentapplication, Serial No. 88,869, filed April 21, 1949, on which U. S.Patent No. 2,654,184 issued on October 6, 1953.

In the feeder referred to, the rotor comprises a plurality ofco-operative segmental sections, customarily three, each of which has acylindrical upper end portion of slightly less than 120, provided withan external flange fitting in a suitably configured seat in anindividual rotor chuck segment and clamped thereto by a suitable arcuatehold-down plate segment which is secured to the chuck segment by eyebolts. Each chuck segment fits in an appropriate portion of an annularseat in the lower part of an annular rotary chuck carrier which has anoutwardly enlarged supporting upper portion resting upon supportingrollers which occupy relatively fixed positions.

According to the present invention, the external flanges on the upperend portions of the segmental sections of the rotor bear directly uponappropriate portions of the suitably configured seat in the lower partof the annular rotary carrier and are clamped securely but releasablythereto by the cooperative action of clamping wedges which engage withadjacent ends of the adjacent rotor section flanges. One of these wedgesmay be fixed to the rotary carrier and the additional wedge orwedges-the number being determined by the number of segmental sectionsof which the feeder rotor consistsare movable. The movable wedge orwedges may be carried by means mounted on a rotary driven ring memberthat is fixed in place upon and in axial alignment with the rotarysegmental section carrier so as to be positionable in lowered segmentalsection clamping position and manually raisable therefrom at will. Themovable wedge or wedges may be retained in clamping position byassociate latching means.

The novel clamping means of the present invention is relatively simplein construction, can be operated quickly and easily, and includes noloose parts to be lost when operated to release the feeder rotorsegments for removal and replacement. Such threadedly engaged parts asare included therein are out of direct heat from the feeder and hencewill not be frozen together. Moreover, the feeder rotor segments whenclamped in place in their rotary carrier will be positively held inplace and cannot shift angularly in their carrier on rotation of thelatter in either of opposite directions about its axis.

Further advantages and objects of the invention will hereinafter bepointed out or will become apparent from the following description of apractical embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the rotor segments clamped in place intheir rotary carrier by clamping means of the present invention andshowing an annular sprocket for rotating the carrier and on whichmovable elements of the clamping means are mounted, one of the segmentsof the feeder rotor being partially cut away at its upper marginalportion to expose parts located therebeneath;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section along line 2-2 of ig. 1 throughthe assembly shown in Fig. 1, through an annular supporting structurefor the rotary carrier of the feeder rotor segments, and through afragmentary portion of a feeder bowl or spout into which the rotordepends, the rotor being shown in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a relatively enlarged vertical section along the line 3--3 ofFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fra entary sectional view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a relatively enlarged fragmentary sectional view along theline 5-5 of Fig. 1'

Fig. 6 is fragmentary sectional view along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line 7--7 of Fig. 5.

A feeder rotor generally designated 10 in Fig. 2 comprises three similarsegmental sections 11, each having an outwardly offset rod-like lowerend portion 12 and an outwardly olfset upper end portion 13 ofcylindrical configuration formed adjacent to its upper extremity with anoutturned flange 14 thereon. The sections 11 of the feeder rotor aremade of suitable refractory material. In the example shown in which the'rotor 10 comprises three of such sections, the cylindrical portion ofeach section 11 is slightly less than so that a narrow vertical gap orspace indicated at 15, in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, is provided between adjacentside edges of the cylindrical portions of each two adjacent rotorsections when the sections of the rotor are arranged in a circle asshown in Figs. 1 and 2 and are supported in this assembled relation bymeans presently to be described.

The feeder rotor is adapted for use in a feeder bowl or spout, afragmentary portion which is shown in Fig. 2 and indicated generally at16. Such a feeder bowl or spout may comprise a refractory bottom 17, anda glass-- retaining refractory side wall 18, and have a bottom out' letstructure indicated at 19 through which glass may be fed in theoperation of the feeder. The depending glass stirring lower end portions12 of the rotor sections are supported for movements in the glass inbowl or spout 16 in a circle around the upper end of the outletstructure 19 when the rotary has been installed therein and is beingoperated in the manner and for the purpose intended. A feeder bowl orspout cover structure, indicated atv 20 in Fig. 2, has an opening 21therein, located above and in line with the outlet structure 19 and ofsuitable sizeand shape to accommodate with but slight clearanceintermediate portions of the assembled rotor sections ex tendingtherethrough when the rotor is suspended from above in its operatingposition as shown in Fig. 2. The feeder bowl or spout and its coverstructure do not, per se, form part of the present invention and may beof any suitable or preferred structural arrangement.

The diameter of the portion of the rotor located above the feeder bowlor spout cover 20 may be slightly larger than the diameter of the upperend of opening 21 through which the rotor sections depend when the rotorsections are assembled as shown in Fig. 2 and are supported by meanswhich will now be described.

Such supporting means comprises a normally stationary structure 22having a general cylindrical portion 23 located at a predetermineddistance above the feeder bowl or spout cover in vertical alignment withthe opening 21 in the feeder bowl or spout cover and with the feederoutlet structure 10. A cylindrical rotary carrier 24 for the feederrotor sections is centered in the cylindrical supporting element 23which may be formed with an inturned flange 25 at its lower end on whichthe annular carrier 24 may rest lightly as indicated at 26 in Fig. 2.This contact however, is not sufficient to prevent practicallyfriction-free rotation of the carrier 24 about its vertical axis whenthe carrier is supported for such rotation by suitable anti-frictionmeans, as by rollers 27 carried by supporting structure 22 and locatedbeneath and in supporting relation to an outturned upper end portion 28of the rotary carrier 24. A suitable number, as for example three, ofthe rollers 27 may be provided and spaced angularly around the verticalaxis of the carrier 24, each of such rollers being freely turnable abouta horizontal axis. A driven member for rotating the carrier 24, shown asan annular or ring sprocket 29, rests upon and is fastened to thecarrier 24 in axial alignment therewith, as by cap screws 30 or othersuitable fastening means. Rollers 31, rotatable aboutvertical PatentedDec, 28, 1954,,

axes, maybear, as indicated at 32 in Fig. 2 for one of these rollers,against 'the outer periphery -of the upper end portion 28 of annularcarrier 24 so as to center the carrier properly and prevent'any sidemovement thereof under pull from a chainlnotrshowri)xinzdrivingren'gagement with sprocket'l29. Theimeans for frotatablyrsupporting'and-driving the rotr?carrier124 may vary widely from theparticular means just describe'dtan'dthendetails thereof per se, do notform-:partof the invention.

The rotor carrier 24 is formed with an inturnedIfla-nge SS- atiitslower' end. This flangeamay ibei stepped downwardly from its innermarginal .edge .for part of its radial cxtent toprovidezanannular'iseat, indicated at.'*34, for the reception of the outturnedflanges14=on thempper ends ofnthevrotorvsections. vThelrotorsec'tionslthus will be supported in a circular series Whentheirbutturned iflang'es :14 have been placed-on their zrespective portions:of the supporting: seatr34 on the :fiange 33 ref annular carrier 2'4.Thermeanslfor clamping zthese 31'0- torlsections in place and.whichaforms the :subject. of .the present! invention will now .bedescribed. 1A rigidclamping memberSS-havingataperingor:wedgewshapedlower CIIdTPOIItlOIL 36- is'fixedgiasaby cap .screws. 37, to .the. inner side' ofqannular carrier 24.so-that the opposite'sides of the wedge 36-will be engaged .byoppositely.bevelcdzsurfaces 38 on the adjacent ends oftwo. ofithe rotor.sections 1 1 when such sections are placed-with .their supportingflanges on the seat 34of the-carrier24 and arelshoved thereon towardeach other and againstxthe --wedge :36, as-to'the positions best seeninFig. 4; The clamping member 'may'be formed with laterallyextendingiintegral wing elements 'or arms39 :which may "serve as stopsto prevent'misplacing the rotor sections vwith-.tl'ieir flanges 14 toofar outin carrier-2410 fitinzseat 34. Once fastened to'the annularcarrier 24, as in the .manner described, the clampingamember 35vwillsremaintfixed.in place i thereon.

Co-operative with the 1 fixed clamping :mernber .35 to maintain therotori sections in place are frn'ovableuclamping: members 40, thenumberof which will-be determined by thenumber ofrotorsections.There-.will'tbetwotof these movable. clamping members 40- Whenthe rotorcornprises three segmental sections,.as.inithe rexampleishown. Eachmovable I clamping member 40 has its lower .end portion 41 formed withtapering Lsidesurfaces-so as .to provide .a'wedge, asin thecaSeof'thefiXed clamping member. .The upper endzportion' offeach clamping member'40 may :beiforrned to. provideapair .ofspaced .attaching elementsorforks 42 which straddle one end portion of a link 43 and are.pivotaliy'connectedltherewith byia horizontal pivot pin 44. Thepivotpin 44.- may be retained against accidental displacementiby a1 in 45 or.in any other suitable known manner. The opposite end of link 43 extendsbetween a pair of upstandingiears or-lugs'46 on the rotary sprocket .29.and isfastene'd thereto by'arhorizontalpivot pin 47. The pivot in 47.may be retained against accidentaldisplacement by a pin '48 or in anyother suitable:known-manner.

With the arrangementjust.described, each' of theimovableclamping'members 40 will bepivotally suspended within the annularcarrier v24andzit'willbe understood that therelativelocations.ofthepairs of ears or lu'gs 46 and thefixed clamping member35 are suchthateach movable clampingmember'4t) willlbe locatedappropriately forengagement of thewedge element 41 with vthe bevelsurfaces 38 on itsadjacent-endsoftwo adjacent rotor-.sections'when all therotor sectionsareassembled in -a circular arrangement.in the-carrier 24. Thus, whenthereare three rotor sections, the movable clamping members 40 willbespaced l20fromeach other'and gachsgvill be spaced 120 from thefixed'clampin'g' mem- The link 43 is provided with 'a straighfisidedvertical' slot" 49 of substantial length intermediate its ends. A latchmember 50 has a' flattened shank portion 51*extending through andslidably contactingwith the side walls of the slot 49. The arrangementis such that th'e latch member 50 may bemove'd-slidably along the slot49 and to a limited extent vertically therein. The latch member 50 hasits lower end formed as a hook 52, the bill portion of which may beinclined at its'uppersurfaccas indicated at 53, Fig. 5, forengagement'with the complementarily'inclined surface54- on the'bottomedge of 'the adjacent' portion of rotor sprocket 29 when thelatch"member'- is in its engaged position *as *best seen in Fig. 5. Theupper end portion of the latch shank is provided "with screw threads"and is engaged -by -a -nut -55 sections when desired will be obviousfrom the foregoing'description of the-parts involved. When the latchmember 50 has been slid in the slot 49.of link 43 until the latch hookis'inwardly'of theinner periphery of the rotor sprocket 29, the innerend of link 43 and the clampingrmember 4t) suspendedatherefromzmay :be.liftedlby means of the .nut .55 and .the ,latch :member 150 and swungupwardly .and outwardly nabout the axis :.of .pivot pin 47 .beyond theconfines of the carrier :24rofrthe feeder rotor. sections. -:When themovablezclamping members=40 have been: swung to theirout-,of-Ithe-,way,zinactive .positions, the rotor sections maybe-liftedfrom the carrierzfor replacement or repair. =In this '.connection 'it-will be noted: that; the bottom flangex33- of rotor carrier 24 -rnaybe. partly cut awayat appropriate ;;places 1 around ,1 its 1innerperiphery as indicated'at'56in Fig. 1: to provideclearance for theoutwardly. offset :rod-like x lower portions l of the rotorsegments when:thesegmentsare lifted from the carrier. /A. further cut-out asindicatedat 57, .Fignl, mayabe provided at vtheouter side of eachcut-awaygportion 5610; permit use of .a suitable tool (not. shown) toaid. in effecting. removalnofa rotor. section.

When the. rotorsectionshave been replaced and are to be.securedi'in,=place-in theirrotary carrier-24, each. movable clarnping member 40is lowered in turn until'its wedge1portion-bears=against the'beveledsurfaces .38of

the adjacent ends .of two adjacent:rotorsections. The latch: member50.of.thatclamping assembly is then'slid outwardly in' the slot 49 0fits link 43111lllllh6iblll0f snchlatch I member. is underneath theoverlying 4 bottom edgeofzthe rotor sprocket 29. Each clamping member 40may be-providedwithaspacing luglor projection 58 thereonadjacent toits'lower end forrcontact withihe inner side of the "annular carrier24=toposition the depending clamping 'member 40 suitably -to engage titswedge withthe en'ds-of. the two adjacent rotor sections.

.Tighteningof thenutsSS will raise'the latch-members 50. into engagementwith the ibottomedge ofsprocket 29 andvconcurrently; force the wedge;portions '4ltof the movable clamping members downwardly between theoppositely inclinedor.beveled-surfaces.38 of the'adjacent. ends of;adjacent rotor sections in: the .annular carrier 24. Consequently,v therotorsectionswill be clamped firmly in place in their carrier'for'rotationtherewith.

Various changesin-and modifications of the illustrative embodiment ofthe. invention shown in. the drawings and herein particularly describedwill now beiobviousztot those skilledin. the art and 21. therefore donot wish. toabe limitedto the details of such'embodiment.

I claim:

.l. In agla'ss feeder, the combination witha rotary annular carriersupported with its aitis verticalandshaving an inturned supportingflange atitslowerend, of a rotor comprising a plurality of segmentalsections, .eachdepending: through the annular carrier adjacent to theinner edge of the'inturned supporting flange of the carrier and provided'withan'ontturned supporting flange resting upon said inturnedflange ofthe carrier, and clampingmeans comprising wedges corresponding in numberwith'the 'seg mental sections of the rotor and means mounting .said

1 wedges 'onthe 'rotary carrier for'rotation .therewithand so that theindividual wedges are inwedging engagement with adjacent ends of theoutturned flanges of adjacent segmentalsections ofthe'rotor'supportedlby the rotor carrier.

2. The combination'defined by 'claim 1 wherein oneof said wedges isfixed to the inner Wall of the rotary annular carrier in position todepend toward the underlying portion of theinturned. supportingflange ofthe carrier to alevel below theplane'of the upper surfaces of theoutturned flanges of the rotorsections supportedby'the carrier.

3. The combination defined by claim 1 wherein the segmental sections ofthe rotor are more than two in number and wherein one of said wedges islocated at a fixed position on the inner wall of the rotary carrier andthe other wedges are mounted for movements relative to the carrierbetween lowered rotor segment clamping positions and raised positionsout of engagement with said rotor segments.

4. The combination defined by claim 1 wherein the ends of the outturnedflanges of the rotor segmental sections are beveled at the places whichare engaged by said wedges.

5. The combination in a glass feeder of a rotary annular carriersupported with its axis vertical and having an inturned flange at itslower end, a rotor depending through said carrier and comprising aplurality of segmental sections, each provided with an outturned flangeadjacent to its upper end resting upon said inturned flange of thecarrier, a vertical wedge fixed to the inner wall of said carrier inposition to be engaged with the adjacent ends of the outturned flangesof two adjacent rotor sections when such sections have been shiftedangularly in said carrier against said fixed wedge, a second verticalwedge connected to the annular carrier to rotate therewith and mountedfor bodily movements relative to the carrier between a lowered positionin wedging engagement with one end of the flange of the third rotorsection and the adjacent end of the flange of one of the two firstmentioned rotor sections and a raised position clear of said rotorsections, and a third vertical wedge like the second and similarlyconnected and mounted but positioned for bodily movements between alowered position in wedging engagement with the second end of the flangeof the third rotor section and the adjacent end of the flange of thesecond of the two first mentioned rotor sections and a raised positionclear of said rotor sections.

6. The combination defined by claim 5 wherein the ends of the flanges ofsaid rotor sections are beveled at the places engaged with said wedges.

7. The combination defined by claim 5 and in addition individuallatching devices associated with the bodily movable second and thirdwedges and each operable to releasably secure the associate wedge firmlyin its lowered, rotor section engaging position.

8. The combination in a glass feeder of a rotary annular carriersupported with its axis vertical and having an inturned flange at itslower end, a rotor depending through said carrier and comprising threesegmental sections, each provided with an outturned flange adjacent toits upper end resting upon said inturned flange of the carrier, avertical wedge fixed to the inner wall of said carrier in position to beengaged with the adjacent ends of the outturned flanges of two adjacentrotor sections when such sections have been shifted angularly in saidcarrier against said fixed wedge, an annular driving member on theannular carrier fixed thereto in axial alignment therewith, second andthird wedges, individual links swingingly suspending said second andthird wedges from said annular driving member respectively for bodilymovements between lowered positions in wedging engagement with theopposite ends of the third rotor section flange and the adjacent ends ofthe first mentioned two rotor section flanges and raised positions clearof the rotor sections, and individual latching means carried by saidlinks for engagement with said annular driving member releasably to holdsaid second and third wedges in their lowered, wedging positions, andoperable at will to release said second and third wedges to permitraising thereof.

9. The combination defined by claim 8 wherein said rotor sections haveoutwardly ofiset lower end portions and the inturned supporting flangeof the annular carrier is cut away at angularly spaced places to permitupward movement therethrough of said lower end portions of the rotorsections when said sections are moved upwardly through said carrier.

10. The combination defined by claim 8 wherein said links are slottedintermediately and the latching means associated with each linkcomprises a rigid shank having a flat sided portion extending slidablythrough the slotted portion of the link, a hook at the lower end of theshank engageable under the annular driving member when the shank is inone position and disengageable therefrom when the shank is in adifferent position, and a nut threadedly engaged with the upper endportion of the shank and bearing on the link so as to be operable atwill to retain the shank in its first named position or to permitmovement of the shank to its said different position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,305,739 Shackelford Dec. 22, 1942 2,654,184 Peiler Oct. 6,1953

